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Victims Gather at Catholic Diocese to Denounce Bishop's Letter

A small group of victims of sexual abuse by clergy gathered today outside the San Diego Catholic Diocese Pastoral Center. They came to denounce a letter written by Bishop Robert Brom indicating the Di

Victims Gather at Catholic Diocese to Denounce Bishop's Letter

A small group of victims of sexual abuse by clergy gathered today outside the San Diego Catholic Diocese Pastoral Center. They came to denounce a letter written by Bishop Robert Brom indicating the Diocese may declare bankruptcy. KPBS Radio's Andrea Hsu reports.

Bishop Brom's letter to parishioners came 10 days before the start of the first trial in San Diego over sexual abuse by clergy. In the letter, he writes that he's painfully aware of the harm that victims have suffered. But that good stewardship demands that settlements not cripple the mission of the church. Joelle Casteix of the organization Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests says she was deeply disappointed by the letter.

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Casteix: We've been fighting long and hard to get the truth out in San diego and the fact that the bishop is now hinting at a bankruptcy is a real slap in the face to the survivors.

Her group delivered a letter of their own, asking Bishop Brom to reject bankruptcy as an option and to disclose the finances of the Diocese. The Diocese did not respond to requests for comment.

For KPBS, I'm Andrea Hsu.